UPDATE 2- Egypt showed friendship, fraternity in 'difficult times,' says Türkiye

UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER

By Merve Aydogan and Mahmoud Barakat

ANKARA (AA) - Hailing the support and solidarity Egypt displayed immediately after deadly earthquakes shook southern Türkiye earlier this month, the Turkish foreign minister said Monday that the two countries were "opening a new chapter in relations."

"Friendship and fraternity are evident during difficult times," Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint press conference with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, who is visiting southern Adana and Mersin regions.

After the two powerful back-to-back earthquakes that occurred on Feb. 6, Egypt showed Türkiye its fraternity and friendship, Cavusoglu said.

He underlined that the two nations were "opening a new chapter in relations," noting the "fruitful" meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Doha last November.

Cavusoglu said he and Shoukry addressed ways to further develop ties in a bilateral meeting at Adana's Sakirpasa Airport.

"Developing relations between Türkiye and Egypt is in the interest of both countries, but not only for both countries, but also important for the peace, stability and development of our region," the top Turkish diplomat added.

Saying that the bilateral trade and economic cooperation continued "even when the ties were not good," Cavusoglu said many Turkish investors are involved in important projects in Egypt.

"During our meeting today, we have exchanged ideas about mutual visits or meetings between the two of us, and possible topics to discuss, as our deputies have met twice before on this issue. It would be beneficial for them to meet again," he added.

Emphasizing that meeting just to pose for cameras is not enough, Cavusoglu said the Turkish and Egyptian presidents could meet either in Türkiye or Egypt once the foreign ministers meet to develop ties.

- 30 field hospitals

Separately, the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Twitter announced that 28 countries have established 30 field hospitals in Türkiye's earthquake-hit regions.

At least 130,785 tents, 1,168 temporary housing containers and over 1,600 mobile hygiene units have arrived in Türkiye as part of coordinated efforts of Turkish missions abroad, the ministry said.

More than 1.6 million blankets, 226,451 sleeping bags, 83,844 beds, 29,266 power generators, over 6,300 tons of clothing, over 3,000 tons of hygienic medical materials and nearly 6,000 tons of food have also been delivered, it added.

- 'Support and consolation'

For his part, Shoukry said he conveys a message of “support and consolation for the friendly Turkish people.”

He said Egypt has been making efforts to help Türkiye during the disaster, adding that priority was given to ships carrying aid supplies to cross the Suez Canal.

Egypt’s efforts during the earthquake disaster “affirm the special relation which connects the Egyptian people with the Turkish people,” Shoukry added.

He said Egypt believed in Türkiye’s ability to overcome the disaster, it will remain by Türkiye's side and that bilateral relations will rise to the "best level."

Regarding the prospects of normalization and possibility of a meeting between Erdogan and Sisi, he said “certainly, there will be contacts at the appropriate time according to the vision of the two presidents.”

Shoukry's visit to Türkiye was the first by an Egyptian foreign minister in more than a decade.